inspire

Where does the word "inspire" come from? It comes from Latin inspirare, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Inspire’s story begins in Latin: inspirare meant “to breathe into.” To breathe into, from in- (into) and spirare (to breathe). It reached English by 1300s as inspire. Settled as the English word for filling someone with the urge to create or act. Today, inspire means to fill someone with the desire or ability to do or create something.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient inspirare "to breathe into", to breathe into, from in- (into) and spirare (to breathe).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s inspire "to fill someone with the urge to create or act", settled as the English word for filling someone with the urge to create or act.